MVP watch: Peyton and who else?

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning tosses the football after running in for a touchdown on a quarterback keep play late in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
— AP

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning tosses the football after running in for a touchdown on a quarterback keep play late in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
/ AP

1 -- Peyton Manning: Non-stop media fawning induces Manning fatigue among the masses. The schedule says it's too early to get worked up. Sometimes, though, a performance commands superlatives. Through five games the 37-year-old Manning has lapped the MVP field in leading Denver to a 5-0 record minus Von Miler and Ryan Clady. A few numbers: an NFL-best 75.8-percent completion rate (against 11 tackling dummies, that'd be good); an NFL-best 136.4 passer rating via a 20-1 ratio of TDs-INTs; 46 points per game in offense. Every week, it seems he's scrimmaging against Arapahoe Community College.

2 -- Chiefs defense: We insist on lauding effective defense, given that it's so rare. Seattle's D loses its spot here for lapsing last Sunday at Indianapolis. So: hail to the Chiefs. City of the Plains has allowed only 58 points all season. First in turnovers created and fewest yards allowed per pass, the Chiefs could have the defense to slow Denver. Their first meeting comes in Week 11.

3 -- Drew Brees: The Saints are 5-0 and Brees, at 34, is still machete-sharp. He ranks among the top-5 in rating, TDs, yards, average gain per pass and TD percentage. Yet the 2009 Super Bowl MVP may not be the team's biggest story. The defense, historically bad last year, is fourth in fewest points allowed (14.6) under new coordinator Rob Ryan. Brees is clicking with tight end Jimmy Graham, who gains 16 yards per catch.

4 -- Andrew Luck: A rugged schedule and season-ending injuries to three offensive starters and stellar No. 2 back Angry Ahmad Bradshaw haven't prevented Luck from guiding Indy to a 4-1 record. Don't yawn at his good but not great passing numbers -- 62.2 percent, 94.1 rating, 7 TDs, 2 INTs. Luck is more than a passer. He runs the ball with speed and power: 6.8 yards per carry in 20 rushes, including crucial TDs against the Raiders and 49ers. Helping out a so-so offensive line, Luck has a quick release and a knack for escaping pass-rushers.

5 -- LeSean McCoy: Comparing any runner to Gale Sayers is ambitious if not foolish, but it's appropriate for McCoy. He darts, he swerves, he stutters and zooms, while his pursuers seem to move on an oil slick. He isn't a receiver but averages 14.3 yards per catch in 13 receptions. Pacing at 5.2 yards per handoff, he's rushed for an NFL-best 514 yards and is also first in yards from scrimmage (700). The Eagles (2-3) aren't helping him enough. On MVP Watch's radar is quarterback Alex Smith, whose smart, athletic quarterbacking is part of Kansas City's turnaround. Week Five roughed up past MVP-watch honorees Tom Brady, whose underthrown interception sealed a 13-6 loss for New England (4-1); and Philip Rivers, who was picked off three times in Oakland, where the Raiders belted the favored Chargers (2-3).